Saber's warning hung in the air, colder and sharper than the edge of any blade. "They are called Grail Hunters. Beings from across the myriad dimensions who have lost their own Holy Grails, or who simply covet the power to rewrite reality. They hunt the artifact, and to claim it, they will kill its bearer without hesitation."
As the weight of her words settled on me, a stark, red-bordered notification seared itself into my vision. The Omnitrix wasn't just listening; it was cataloging the threat.
[ALERT: Hostile Entity Type Logged – Grail Hunter]
➤ Origin: Cross-Dimensional Nomads
➤ Primary Objective: Terminate Current Grail Bearer & Seize Artifact
➤ Known Method: Forced severance of the Master-Artifact bond via host elimination.
➤ System Note: Elimination of a Grail Hunter may yield high-value dimensional resources.
➤ Potential Drop: Dimensional Key Fragment (1 Required to Unlock New World Path)
My blood ran cold, then hot. A threat, yes, but also… an opportunity. A Dimensional Key Fragment. A way to unlock new worlds for my hunt, independent of C.C.'s quest. The system was showing me another path to power, paved with the bodies of my enemies.
I finally understood. Making that wish, binding myself to the Grail—it hadn't just been a choice. It was an investiture. I wasn't just some guy with a magic cup anymore.
[Artifact Sync Confirmed]
➤ New Title Acquired: Holy Grail Bearer
➤ Perks Unlocked: Artifact Inventory Access (1 Slot), Dimensional Resonance Detection (Passive)
➤ Drawback Acquired: Global Target Status – Actively Hunted by Grail Hunters
"So I've basically got a cosmic hit out on me," I said, letting out a low whistle. The sheer absurdity of it was almost funny. "Fantastic. My life just went from a slice-of-life comedy to a battle royale."
Saber looked at me, her brow furrowed in disapproval at my flippancy. "This is no laughing matter, Master. Your life is in constant peril."
"Hey, if I don't laugh, I'll cry, and I don't think 'heroic weeping' is going to scare anyone off," I shot back.
"Your lack of discipline is astounding," she sighed. "But your survival is my responsibility. Once I have recovered, I will begin your training in swordsmanship. A master must be able to defend himself."
Her offer was as practical as it was noble. And, of course, the system was already logging it.
[Skill Tree Unlocked: Swordsmanship (Saber Method)]
➤ Prerequisite Quest: Complete 'Basic Swordsmanship Drills'
➤ Progress: 0%
➤ Warning: Current host identity [Aiolos] possesses Cosmo-based combat affinity. Advanced weapon usage is restricted by Sanctuary doctrine. An alternate combat synthesis path may be required.
Another problem for another day. First things first. "You can't train anyone looking like that," I said, nodding towards the bedsheets she was still clutching. "And you can't stay in my bed forever. You need clothes."
This presented a new, more immediate challenge. A quick mental quest prompt flickered to life.
[Side Quest Initiated: Proper Attire for a Knight]
➤ Objective: Acquire a set of clothing acceptable to Saber's regal sensibilities.
➤ Reward: +10 Affection Points (Saber), Minor Morale Boost (Party)
I rummaged through the closet, bypassing my own worn-out jeans and hoodies. At the back, in a garment bag I hadn't touched in years, were some of my mother's clothes. She'd had a simple, classic style. I pulled out a plain, high-collared white blouse and a long, dark blue skirt. It wasn't armor, but it was modest and dignified.
"Here," I said, placing them on the bed. "This is the best I can do for now. The bathroom is through that door. I'll… turn around."
I dutifully turned my back to her, facing the wall. But my gaze drifted to the side, to the full-length mirror leaning against the wall, its angle giving me a perfect, unobstructed view of the bed behind me. It wasn't just a pervy impulse; it was a strategic assessment. I needed to see the full extent of her injuries, her muscle tone, her physical condition. It was… tactical voyeurism.
I watched as she slipped out of the bed, her form silhouetted and graceful. The wound on her side was a raw, angry gash, but the surrounding skin was already healing, a testament to her superhuman nature. She moved with a fluid economy of motion, dressing quickly and efficiently. She was a warrior, through and through.
When she was done, she looked less like a displaced deity and more like a proper young woman, albeit one with an aura of lethal intensity.
"Thank you… Al."
The use of the shortened nickname was unexpected. It was softer, less formal than the stiff 'Master' or the full 'Alan'. It was a small shift, but a significant one.
[Relationship Milestone Reached: Saber]
➤ Status Updated: Wary Servant → Trusted Ally
➤ Passive Effect Unlocked: +5% Training Efficiency in all joint sessions.
See? Tactical voyeurism pays off.
"No problem," I said, turning back around with an innocent smile. "Now, about that bandage. It needs to be changed."
She nodded, sitting on the edge of the bed as I gathered the first-aid kit. The final barrier of trust was about to be crossed. This was a moment of absolute vulnerability for her, and a test of my own character. As I knelt before her, preparing to unwrap the bloodstained gauze, a final, quiet tooltip appeared in the corner of my vision, a chilling reminder of the world outside this room.
[System Warning: Dimensional Barrier Integrity at 88%. Localized reality is stable but susceptible to high-energy intrusions.]
The hunters were out there. And they could show up at any time. My hands, holding the clean bandages, were perfectly steady.